Noted Central NY restaurants and bars that opened, closed or transitioned in 2025: See list

What’s new: Two Middle Eastern coffee shops, a throwback to Clark’s Ale House and a handful of smashburger places.

What’s gone: Two long-standing fine dining “inns” in the suburbs, plus a steakhouse and a downtown dive bar.

These are among the noteworthy changes in the Central New York restaurant and bar scene in 2025.

This year, there were plenty of openings and closings and frequent cases in which new spots found a home in recently vacated locations.

Here’s a look at the noteworthy openings, closings and transitions in 2025 (note this is not a complete list of all changes):

OPENINGS

Co-owner Antoine Smith with a bowl of Cajun pasta with fried catfish at Big Fella’s, a restaurant at 208 W. Water St. in downtown Syracuse. It shares space with Poundtown Burger Bar.Don Cazentre

Big Fella’s / Poundtown Burger Bar, 208 W. Water St. These 2-for-1 places opened in January. sharing the space near Clinton Square that was most recently home to Board & Bar Charcuterie. Big Fella’s has a menu that highlights several varieties of Cajun pasta. Poundtown Burger Bar specializes in smashburgers.

Hey Clark, the roast beef sandwich at Crooked Cattle, Syracuse, N.Y. (Jared Paventi | [email protected])Jared Paventi | [email protected]

Crooked Cattle, 290 W. Jefferson St., Syracuse. This new bar / restaurant opened in March with a first-class beer selection and a menu that pays homage to one of Armory Square’s most beloved watering holes. Crooked Cattle, located in the former Starbucks outlet in Center Armory, features a sandwich called the Hey Clark, the signature roast beef offering from the old Clark’s Ale House. Owner Matt Beach’s family also owns the Ale ‘n Angus Pub downtown.

Little Fresh, a low-alcohol IPA, at Aurora Brewing Co., Syracuse, N.Y. (Jared Paventi | [email protected])Jared Paventi | [email protected]

Aurora Brewing Co., 620 Ulster St. Syracuse. This new taproom associated with a Finger Lakes craft brewery opened in March in the former location of Now & Later on Tipperary Hill. It offers a dozen of its own beers on tap, plus bottled beers. They include “crispy” lagers to hoppy pale ales, along with stouts, fruit beers and sours, ciders, seltzers and ready-to-drink cocktails. Th food menu features burgers, wings, sandwiches and Detroit-style pizzas.

Owner Robb Bidwell at Sal’s Birdland, a takeout restaurant featuring chicken and more. It opens May 22 at 8140 Brewerton Road (Route 11) in Cicero. He’s holding jars of Sassy Sauce.Don Cazentre

Sal’s Birdland, 8140 Brewerton Rd. (Route 11), Cicero. The newest Sal’s Birdland opened in May in a small plaza in Cicero. It joins the two existing Sal’s Birdland locations in the Rochester area, where the brand began in 1974. The Cicero location is a takeout-and-delivery only restaurant that features chicken wings and tenders and many other items using the signature Sassy Sauce.

The Chicken 65 appetizer at Dakshin Indian Cuisine. The restaurant will open this weekend in Armory Square. (Charlie Miller | [email protected])(Charlie Miller | [email protected])

Dakshin Indian Cuisine, 216 Walton St., Armory Square. This restaurant opened in May in the former location of Kasai Ramen and many other dining spots. Dakshin specializes in the vibrant, coconut- and spice-forward flavors of South India.

Owner Luis Colon Torres, left, has hired celebrity chef Jose Alfredo Diaz, right, to consult on a new menu for Isla Caribbean Cuisine at 206 S. Warren St. in downtown Syracuse.Don Cazentre

Isla (formerly 809) Caribbean Cuisine, 206 S. Warren St., Syracuse. This place initially opened in March as 809 Lounge & Restaurant in the spot once occupied by Otro Cinco. It’s had a tumultuous year.

In June, it rebranded as Isla Caribbean Cuisine, while maintaining a menu build dished from Puerto Rico, the Dominican and other part of the Caribbean. It then temporarily lost its liquor license due to that change, keeping it closed a night. By December it was back open for both lunch and dinner with a full menu and cocktail list.

Stone Creek owner Steve Tross welcomes some guests to Saturday’s soft opening. Stone Creek opens Monday in Marcellus. (Charlie Miller | [email protected])(Charlie Miller | [email protected])

Stone Creek, 69 North St., Marcellus. opened in July with big steaks, loaded potatoes, lobster and an inventive cocktail list. Owners Steve and Marissa Tross operate the 130-seat restaurant in the former home of Daniel’s Grill.

Order Up: A Hot Like Your Mom (left) and a DC Classic at Double Cheese, a new restaurant in Liverpool. (Charlie Miller | [email protected])(Charlie Miller | [email protected])

Double Cheese, 407 Tulip Street, Liverpool. Owner Chris Bily, a veteran Central New York operator, opened this smashburger place in September in a location that had been a hardware store and most recently Cafe 407.

It specializes in crispy-edged smashburgers made from a custom blend of brisket, short rib, chuck and sirloin. There are other items like a Wagyu hot dog and a full bar with specialty cocktails.

Tihami Chowdhury puts together a burger bowl at Better Burger in Liverpool. (Charlie Miller | [email protected])(Charlie Miller | [email protected])

Better Burger, 920 Old Liverpool Road, Liverpool. Yes a second smashburger place opened in October just a month after Double Cheese.

This one, operated by Tihami Chowdhury and Angelina Mendonsa, is located in the former home of Village Burger and Hope Cafe. One of the specialties is the Oklahoma Onion Burger, along with other items like Nashville Hot Chicken. It serves beer and cocktails.

A rendering of one of the restaurant spaces at the Skaneateles Fields spa and resort at 1000 Mottville Road near Skaneateles. It is expected to open this summer. SYR

Skaneateles Fields, 1000 Mott Road, Skaneateles. There are four restaurants housed in this new 89-room resort and spa located on a 100-acre property north of the village. It opened in September.

The main dining venue, called Fields Restaurant, features a seasonal menu highlighting “field-to-fork” local produce. That and other dining options at the resort are open to both guests and to the public without room bookings.

The pistachio cream cake is the most popular sweet at Zaman, a coffee house that opened last month, in Sweetheart Corner in North Syracuse. (Charlie Miller | [email protected])(Charlie Miller | [email protected])

Zaman Coffee House, 3911 Brewerton Road (Route 11), North Syracuse. This place opened in September and specializes in Turkish coffee, matcha, pastries and more. It also replicates the vibe of coffee houses in the Middle East, especially Jordan, where the owners are from. The location was most recently home to a Cafe Kubal.

Akina Sushi & Hibachi in North Syracuse. (Charlie Miller | [email protected])(Charlie Miller | [email protected])

Akina Sushi & Hibachi, 709 N. Main St. North Syracuse. This all-you-can-eat restaurant in a strip mall opened in October. It’s not a typical buffet: You place an order $16.99 for lunch or $25.99 for dinner, and you have two hours to eat the food brought to your table. The menu includes sushi rolls, seared tuna, hibachi steak, crab rangoon and more.

Friday’s bagels have proofed and are about to bath in boiling water and baked in a convection oven at Bagel Bagel in Liverpool. (Charlie Miller | [email protected])(Charlie Miller | [email protected])

Bagel Bagel, 642 Old Liverpool Road. Brothers Ron and Reuben Snyder opened this bagel and coffee shop in the former location of a Subway andwich shop in October. The in-house boiled-and-baked bagels come in about 20 flavors, including cheesy hash brown (their best-seller), rosemary salt, cheddar jalapeño and more. You can get them with cream cheese or with breakfast and lunch sandwich fillings.

Davey Rickenback loads up a 250-gallon smoker named Norman with the day’s chicken wings for the Brickyard Tavern and Barbecue in LaFayette. (Charlie Miller | [email protected])(Charlie Miller | [email protected])

Brickyard BBQ, 2611 U.S. Route 11, LaFayette. This former roadside tavern opened in November with a smokehouse built from scrap wood and operated by a veteran of several Dinosaur Bar-b-Que locations. Owners Paul and Rebecca Swimm have a menu that features, ribs, brisket, wings, turkey, sausage, beans and more. Plus there’s a full bar.

This rendering from Gensler design firm of San Francisco shows the new dining space inside the the Point Place Casino in Bridgeport, Madison County.SYR

Forest Grill, 450 Route 31, Bridgeport. Forest Grill opened in November as part of an expansion at the Oneida Indian Nation’s Point Place Casino. The restaurant is described as “featuring an inviting and rustic ambiance echoing the evergreens and offering a cozy Adirondack-inspired retreat where guests can savor hearty comfort food and delicious drinks.” The menu, from chef Josh White, includes steaks, seafood and more, plus a creative cocktail list.

Italian sausage and chicken at CopperTop Tavern, Syracuse, N.Y. (Jared Paventi | [email protected])Jared Paventi | [email protected]

CopperTop Tavern, 3220 Erie Blvd E., DeWitt. This restaurant, the fourth CopperTop operated by the Giamartino family in Upstate New York, opened in November. It is located in the space that was most recently home to Stone’s Steakhouse. Like the other CopperTops, it features an eclectic and diverse menu of comfort foods and large portions, plus a full bar.

Behind the counter at Haraz Coffee House, 125 Marshall St. in Syracuse. Don Cazentre

Haraz Coffee House, 125 Marshall St., Syracuse. This cafe featuring coffee, tea from Yemen opened in late December. It occupies the former home of Shirt World, a long-time sports gear retailer. Haraz also offers pastries, include Yemeni-style “Bee Bites” (glazed honey balls.)

CLOSINGS

Chef Chris Cesta turned out the lights in his kitchen of the Inn Between for the final time Saturday night. (Charlie Miller | [email protected])(Charlie Miller | [email protected])

The Inn Between, 2290 W. Genesee Turnpike (Route 5), Camillus. This landmark fine dining inn closed in January after 52 years when owners Chris and Penny Cesta decided to retire.

The inn was known for its cozy atmosphere and a menu that featured prime rib, roast duck and seafood delivered directly from Boston Harbor. The property’s new owner, Doug LaLone, is working on plans to turn it into a year-round wedding and event venue.

The Brasserie Bar & Bistro in Camillus’ Township 5. Don Cazentre

Brasserie Bar & Bistro, 200 Township Blvd. (Township 5), Camillus. This mother and daughter-owned restaurant closed in the summer after 10 years.

Co-owner Michelle Roesch said the lease expired, and she and her mother were busy with their other place, the Emerald Cocktail Kitchen. Its space has been taken over by a second location for Destiny USA’s Bulfinch Brewpub.

Modern Malt’s Oreo-stuffed French toast features thick brioche bread from Harrison Bakery, coated with malt egg batter, stuffed with Oreo buttercream, drizzled with chocolate and marshmallow sauce and topped with Oreo crumbles. (Katrina Tulloch)

Modern Malt, 325 S. Clinton St. Armory Square. This diner, often described as “retro-chic” or “gastro pub” closed in February after 10 years due to what co-owner Robb Bidwell called “changes in the restaurant industry.”

The diner had been known for menu items like Barney Rubble French Toast and Elvis B-Side Pancakes, plus boozy milkshakes and craft cocktails. Its weekend brunch has moved down the street to the Sassy Cuse Saloon. The space was recently taken over by a second location for Erma’s Island, a Jamaican stand in Salt City Market.

Papa Gallo’s patio

Papa Gallo, 205 W. Genesee St., Fayetteville. Owner Jason Thomas closed this restaurant closed in June ending a 17-year run serving a Mexican/Tex-Mex menu. It is undergoing a transition to a new concept that blends Mexican and Peruvian cuisines, to be operated by the owners of Margarita’s and Inka’s in downtown Syracuse.

Owner Jason Purdy (left) asks everyone to raise a glass for last call at Now & Later on Tipperary Hill in Syracuse in 2014. A second location in downtown Syracuse closed this summer. (Charlie Miller | [email protected])(Charlie Miller | [email protected])

Now & Later Lounge, 300 E. Washington St., Syracuse. This downtown lounge closed in August, less than a year after it opened as an offshoot of the Now & Later bar and bottle shop that had operated in Tipperary Hill until it closed in late 2024. It offered a pared-down food menu alongside its craft beer and cocktail list. Owner Jason Purdy cited industry fatigue, burnout and the rising importance of food programs at bars and breweries as key reasons for the closure.

Original Grain in downtown Syracuse has closed, and it will reopen in a different location. (Charlie Miller | [email protected])(Charlie Miller | [email protected])

Original Grain, 302 S. Salina St., Syracuse. This downtown eatery that specialized in grain bowls and other “California-inspired” dining options closed for renovations in the summer and announced it was closing permanently in October. It had opened in 2016. Owner Chris Bily said he is working on a new twist to the concept at a new location that he has not yet disclosed.

Patrons enjoy drinks and music outside Prime Steakhouse in downtown Syracuse. Photo by Charlie Miller.File 2022

Prime Steakhouse, 101 E. Water St., Syracuse. This fine dining place in Hanover Square’s historic Gridley Building closed in November Owner Danny Klamm opened Prime in 2010 and it became a destination featuring steaks and chops, seafood and an extensive wine and cocktails lists. Klamm has hinted he may open elsewhere but has not yet announced plans.

Inside the dining room at Arad Evans Inn, Fayetteville, N.Y. (Jared Paventi | [email protected])Jared Paventi | jaredpaventi@gma

Arad Evans Inn, 7206 E. Genesee St. (Route 5), Fayetteville. The Arad Evans, a fine-dining restaurant located in a historic estate dating back to the 1840s, closed in November after 30 years in business. A new owner will take over with plans to open by next summer, current owner Jason Thomas said. The new owner has not yet outlined those plans.

Limp Lizard Bar & Grill, 201 1st street, Liverpool, NYRick Moriarty

Limp Lizard Bar & Grill, 201 First St. Liverpool. This location, one of three barbecue-centric Limp Lizard restaurant / bars in Central New York, closed in November. The other two, at 4428 Onondaga Blvd. near Western Lights and at 224 N. Main St. in North Syracuse, remain open. The Liverpool Limp Lizard opened in 2010 in the former long-time home of Italian-American favorite Mother’s Restaurant.

Owner Will Minney behind the bar at Wild Will’s Saloon, 139 E. Water St. in Syracuse’s Hanover Square. Minney is closing the 26-year bar on Dec. 21, 2025.Don Cazentre

Wild Will’s Saloon, 139 E. Water St., Syracuse. This location, which owner Will Minney describes as “Your Neighborhood Bar Downtown,” closed in December. It opened in 1999 in a spot in Hanover Square that has been the home of many businesses, including several bars, over the years. Will’s had plenty of long-time loyal customers, drawn by the old fixtures and “dive bar” vibe. It was also known as an “industry bar,” where workers at other downtown establishments would gather after their shifts ended.

Dinner at 317 @ Montgomery, Syracuse, N.Y. (Jared Paventi | [email protected])Jared Paventi | jaredpaventi@gma

317 at Montgomery, 317 Montgomery St. Syracuse. Six years after opening in the shadow of Syracuse’s Columbus Circle, this fine dining spot served its last meal at the end of the year. The restaurant tucked into a small brick building a block away from the Landmark Theatre became a reliable stop for show nights, date nights and the crush of SU parents during graduation weekend. It had been the location of several other restaurants over the years.

The crowd raises a glass to Heather and Adam Van Hoose (center). They just opened Lannie’s on Onondaga Hill. (Charlie Miller | [email protected])(Charlie Miller | [email protected])

Transitions

This category includes locations that underwent some changes in owners with somewhat similar concepts:

Chelsea’s to Lannie’s Bar & Restaurant, 5076 Velasko Road, Onondaga Hill. Heather and Adam Van Hoose reopened this tavern in October in what had been Chelsea’s earlier in the year (and before that the long-term home of Kelley’s.) The transition returned the place to more of the Kelley’s feel. Heather Van Hoose had worked at both former versions of the place. It offers cold beer, good wings and bar food in an inviting atmosphere.

Primo Nestico’s in North Syracuse. (Charlie Miller | [email protected])(Charlie Miller | [email protected])

Nestico’s to Primo Nestico’s Bistro & Bar, 412 N. Main St., North Syracuse. Marty and Dave Richardson took over this Italian-American restaurant in November from founder Peter Nestico, who stepped away in June after operating it for 25 years. It has an updated look with some modern tweaks to the menu.

Marty Richardson has history with Nestico, having operated the diner called Nestico’s Too on West Genesee Street among other places. The Richardsons are also the former owners of Chelsea’s (see above).